Mama Bzz: books and products for 5th -6th

Showing posts with label books and products for 5th -6th. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2009

Mel participated in this review with the TOS Crew.

Nature Friend Magazine is a wonderful addition to a child's reading collection, especially if your child is studying animals in science or if they love going on nature walks. Jacob and Jaden both love animals, so this magazine was a hit in our house. Jaden likes to point out the animals and try to tell us what sound each one makes. With this magazine come pages of full-color illustrations, and one of the magazines even came with a poster that the kids could tear out and hang up if they wanted.

Honestly, I thought that this magazine was just about animals, but I was happily surprised to see a spread about the stars and galaxies....this is going to come handy after Christmas when we start studying astronomy in science. So, the magazines are all about nature and the outdoor world that God has created. Their motto on the front cover is actually, "Helping Families Explore the Wonders of God's Creation."

Not only are there great articles to be read throughout every issue, but there are activities as well, which include crossword puzzles, drawing activities, etc. Inside the front cover of each issue, there is a "Scavenger Hunt" introduction, in which the kids have to look for a few certain things throughout the magazine, as they are reading. For example, in one issue we received, we had to look for a hidden deer track and an acorn. There is also an "Invisibles" page, in which the kids have to look at a picture and find all of the things that are hidden.

If you choose, you can get an optional Study Guide edition of the magazine. The Study Guide insert comes with many more activities, including writing activities and research activities. It's $2 extra per month for the Study Guide. If you are going to subscribe, the Study Guide adds a lot more content to the magazine than what there would be otherwise, in my opinion.

Kids are able to interact with the magazine, as Nature Friend actually accepts questions, photos, poems and drawings from readers to publish in the magazine every month. Any questions that are received are answered in "The Mailbox" section.

You can subscribe to Nature Friend for $36 per year (12 issues). For a 2-year subscription, the price is $68. I do not want to sound negative, because it really is a wonderful magazine; but to be honest, if our family had not been able to review this magazine, we probably would not be able to afford it at that price, and even though it is a wonderful magazine, I'm just not sure that we would want to pay that for the subscription. Without the Study Guide insert, the magazine would have much less content also.

To read more Nature Friend reviews, head on over to the TOS Crew Blog.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament Review

Mel participated in this review with Thomas Nelson.

I was fortunate enough to be able to review 3 MP3 CDs for Thomas Nelson, the Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament Dramatic Audio Bible. There are over 23 hours of listening time on these cds, and they are a definite plus to any Christian’s collection or library.

My son actually listened to these for some of his Bible lessons. He liked the fact that some of his favorite actors, such as Corbin Bleu and Emily Osment, were reading to him. I liked the fact that the cds seemed to keep his attention, and they really were dramatized with sound effects, background noise, music, etc. The actors did a tremendous job of reading and helping you to feel the emotions, especially when Jesus was on the cross. There were different actors for different Biblical characters. Of course, the first five books were more dramatized, but even the letters written by Paul were right on with voice intonations and character shown throughout. The book of Revelation is actually one of my favorites, because I could honestly visualize what was being read; I could picture everything in my mind.

Before each book starts, there is an introduction to that book. Also included is a “Behind the Scenes” DVD that basically tells about the producer, the cast, and some of the things that went into making the cds. The actors tell about different aspects and even about living in Hollywood and some of their different interests.

This set is a great resource, especially for a family with pre-teens/teens. My son is younger, but he still enjoyed them. The only thing I did not like was that because they are MP3s, I can’t really play them in my car, but the set is still a great thing to have around, because even if you or your kids just take away one thing from listening, it’s worth it. If you'd like to read more about it, check it out at Thomas Nelson.

TOS Crew: Maverick Books- Hank the Cowdog

Mel reviewed this product for the TOS Crew.

Recently, thanks to the Crew, my family and I were introduced to Hank the Cowdog.

Oh my goodness, I have laughed and laughed, listening to Hank and reading the book. We received the 8th book in John R. Erickson's Hank the Cowdog series, The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse; we also received Hank's Tornado game with a cassette tape, and the Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog CD.

I've always tried to dive into the brains of the dogs I've had growing up and even with our last dog, just wondering what is going through their heads. I always used to make up what they were thinking, giving voices to their thoughts, trying to be funny.....well, this series does just that, and it is so hilarious! I especially love the Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog CD that we got, because I can play it in the car on the way to Tae Kwon Do, choir practice, soccer, or wherever we are going. Warning, though: you might laugh so hard that you can't pay good attention to the road, or you might cause other drivers to wonder if you are "ok." LOL I found myself giggling and laughing out loud over the stories and songs because I could so see some of these things in my own life, even growing up. I especially appreciated the story of Hank and his run-in with Sally May, the rancher's wife.

Reading the book, Hank the Cowdog and the Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse, was a whole other story because Jacob and I could barely get through a chapter without laughing our heads off. He would start giggling at something, then I'd get going, and there was no stopping. Hank is just that funny! He gives life to dogs everywhere, and I have to say, that Erickson has a pretty good handle on what dogs do and how they act. I so appreciate his sense of humor. Growing up in the Ozarks, on a farm, the stories feel like home to me. In fact, I plan on introducing my dad to these stories at Christmas; he drives a truck, and I know that he would enjoy listening to them on the road.

The Tornado game we received was basically like a marbles board game, if you have ever played that. You have three character pieces, and you have to get them around the board to home before the other players. Jacob loved it; it's a small board, so it was awkward at times, but it is meant as a travel game, so the compact size could be easily slipped into a backpack or suitcase. The game came with a cassette that had parts of another Hank book, The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado, but my tape player chose to quit on me that very night, so we could not listen to it.

There are 54 books in the Hank the Cowdog series, and there are audio CDs or cassettes as well. I love the fact that I could put a CD on and have Jacob follow along in his book if I chose to do so. That would give him practice with reading and recognizing words, which would be helpful for beginning readers. It would also speak to both visual and auditory learning styles. The books run $4.24-$5.24 for paperback; you can get both a book and CD for $19.99-$20.99; or you can get just the CD for $17.99. Right now, as a special for my readers, you can get the Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog CD for just $3.00! You can listen to samples of it here. Trust me, you won't regret buying this CD because it will be something to turn to if you do, indeed, need a good laugh.

Now there is only one negative I would have to bring up. Some of the stories use words like "moron" or "stupid," but for me, it only served to make the stories that much more hilarious. My children are taught not to call other people names, but in the context of these stories, which is what they are, stories, I did not feel in the least bit offended or bad about reading these books to my kids or listening to the CD. We enjoyed this review thoroughly, and we plan on listening to and reading much more of Hank the Cowdog.

For more Crew reviews on this product, head on over to the TOS Crew Blog.